Candide   by Voltaire (English Translation.)

Sept, 2007     E-Text from Project Gutenburg.

My reason for choosing this book is a bit... unusual. Through the Classical Radio Program Music and Company I learned about the author Yann Martel sending our Prime Minister good artistic works to read. (To increase the awareness of the Arts in Canada. It's all being documented at http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.ca.) One of the books he has sent to our prime minister is Candide. I became curious, and had to read it for myself.

And I've never read a book like it. I've known many books which criticise society and philosophies... but never as biting as this one. And never as single mindedly; The others seem to be novels with some criticism added. This one is a criticism written in the form of a novel. But the writing is good. And the criticism masterly.

I have unfortunately read both Yann Martel's comments on the book and the forward to the 1918 version (which is what's stored on the internet.) And now I can't think of anything to add!

The Inclusion of El Dorado was surprising... and not wholly believable. (Even less so than the rest of the book, and it feels contrived... every few pages.) Continuing my thoughts of it getting contrived though... We are able to excuse Voltaire for doing this; We have a clear view that he's writing for the purpose of illustrating his point. (Chiefly that the world we live in (Lived in back in 1759) is not "good" and "great" in every possible way. Much like we now say that "With Medicine, Technology, and Social reforms, the world we live in today is better than ever before!" in 1759 they felt much the same, and that all things were in their place, and working towards the good of the world.) Anyhow... Voltair's many unbelievable situations can so easily be excused him because they are arguments for his theme, rather than a "true story" which he is telling us. It becomes easier still because Voltaire himself doesn't pretend to be realistic: He has six kings, each dethroned, meeting my total chance at an in without any idea who the others are.

I greatly liked the end of the book though. Throughout the work the idea that "This is the best of possible worlds" is discussed and considered. Up until the second last page the question of weather the world is inherently a good place is the main question in the text. (Although the author's opinion is pretty clear from the beginning.) And then... (Watch out! I'm going to ruin the ending of the book now!) -the characters decide that the only way to live, flourish, be happy and be satisfied is through earnest work. To have a Garden, to be productive with their time, and to fill their hour with good labour rather than philosophical questioning is the only solution. I found that... inspirational. Motivating would be a better word. (And I also find truth in that result.)

It's a different kind of book, but well written and worth reading. Thank-you Yann Martel for the recommendation.